Frank Lloyd Wright - Graycliff
_______________________________________________________________________

Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright - Built 1927

Situated on a 70-foot cliff overlooking Lake Erie, Graycliff stands as an architectural jewel awaiting your discovery. Graycliff was designed by the renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright for Isabelle R. Martin and her husband, Larkin Company executive Darwin D. Martin. Set on a scenic 8.4 acre estate, the two-story, 6,500 square-foot house served as the Martins' summer home from 1928 to the mid-1940's. It was Isabelle Martin who had the most influence over the design of the house. Her failing vision led her to direct Wright to create a structure full of sunlight and air. Wright fulfilled her wishes. Abundant in windows, long and narrow in plan, the house delightfully captures the warm summer light and the cool lake breezes. Wright also incorporated his ideas of "organic architecture" in the design by blending the house into the natural landscape. As one architectural historian wrote, "The house was made for the enjoyment of natural things." Historically, Graycliff is significant in two main ways. First, it represents a transitional point from Wright's earlier Prairie Style to his later concrete designs a la Fallingwater in Pennsylvania. Elements from both periods are evident in the house's design. Secondly, Graycliff is a testament to Wright's thirty-three year relationship with the Martin family. The Martins were one of Wright's most loyal patrons. Graycliff was the last of three houses built for the family; the first was the Barton House (1903-1904) and the second was the Martin House (1903-1906), both built in Buffalo. Tours of Graycliff are being sponsored by the Graycliff Conservancy, a non-profit organization established to acquire, restore, and preserve Graycliff. The Conservancy welcomes you to a site that was recently placed on the New York State's register of historic landmarks. Enjoy the spectacular vistas from the cantilevered balconies of the house. Stroll through the gardens and wooded landscape. Learn about the architecture of America's foremost architect and the Buffalo family that greatly influenced his career.

Tours: Standard Tours Experience the architecture, history and scenic beauty of the Graycliff estate, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.  Standard, docent-led tours are approximately 1 1/4 hours. Standard Tour Admission: $15 Student rate (age 21 and younger) $10. Monday, April 7- Friday, May 30, 2008 Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri  11 am Sat 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm Sunday 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm and 4 pm Saturday, May 31 – Monday, September 1, 2008  Open Daily! Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri  11 am and 2 pm Sat 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm Sunday 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm and 4 pm Tuesday, September 2 – Sunday, November 30, 2008 Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri  11 am and 2 pm Sat 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm Sunday 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm and 4 pm Additional 2 pm tour on Monday, October 13, (Columbus Day, Canadian Thanksgiving) Monday,  November 10 (Veterans Day) and Tuesday, November 11 (Veterans Day) Graycliff In Depth Tours Saturdays at 9:30 am This tour focuses on Graycliff’s unique architectural features, and is led by a Senior Docent.   Explore areas of Graycliff not available on standard tours.  Learn about the evolution of Wright’s plans for Graycliff during its design in the mid 1920s, and about Wright’s architecture, during the development of his mid-career natural or organic style.  Discover how Graycliff’s design compares and contrasts with those of other earlier and later Wright designs.  This is a tour for those who seek a more thorough understanding of Graycliff and Wright’s architecture.  This tour will last for two hours. Price: $30   Students:  $25 Master Architectural Tours Saturdays at 1:15 pm; second Saturday of the month in January, February and March; each Saturday from April 12- November 29, 2008 Explore all areas of Graycliff, and get a “behind the scenes” view not available on standard tours.  This 3 hour Master Tour focuses on architectural elements, with ample opportunity to answer questions and discuss Wright’s architecture, particularly that of his mid-career natural or organic style.  Learn about Wright’s special design for Graycliff roofs, his solution to fire hazards, his unique approach to gutter and drainage systems, and other aspects of Wright’s design unique to Graycliff.  Discover how Graycliff’s design compares and contrasts with those of other earlier and later Wright designs.  This is a tour for the serious architecture, design and/or Wright buff!  This tour will last 3 hours. Price: $40   Students:  $30  These tours are led Patrick Mahoney, AIA, Vice President of the Graycliff Conservancy and Wright expert, or Board members Joseph Blatz, (Chair, Collection Committee) and Diane Schrenk (Chair, Education Committee). Summer Twilights at Graycliff The cares of the work-a-day world will drift away as you experience the tranquility of a Summer Twilight at Graycliff.  Frank Lloyd Wright imbued his design of Graycliff with what he called “repose”: the simplicity and calm of splendid architecture set amidst verdant acres of grounds on the brim of the lake. Graycliff’s rich history and architectural splendor, set against the serenity of Lake Erie, can be yours for a summer twilight. Listen to the sounds of the water lapping against the shore, the cool breeze rustling the tall old trees, the birds calling each to each.   Enjoy a leisurely guided tour, and relax with a glass of wine, coupled with a selection of cheeses and summer fruits as the rest of the world fades away into the twilight.  Fridays:  July 11, 25, August 1 and 8 at 6 pm to 8:30 pm Private groups on other evenings. Members: $25 Non-members: $60, or $110 per couple, which includes a one-year membership in the Conservancy. Graycliff Photography Tour Tour Graycliff, with plenty of time to take photographs of Wright’s architectural masterpiece.  Experience the quiet of Graycliff in the early morning, and contemplate the early light illuminating the architecture and dappling the lake and water features.  Perfect for the amateur or expert shutterbug.  No tripods or lights permitted. Last Saturday of each month, April - November    8:30 am -10:30 am    Admission: $40 Thanksgiving Weekend Closed Thanksgiving Day; Tours: Friday, November 22 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm Sat 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm Sunday 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm and 4 pm Yuletide Tours: December, 2008 (Weather permitting) Graycliff Yuletide Tours will take place on : Friday, December 26 Saturday, December 27 Sunday, December 28 Monday, December 29 Tuesday, December 30 Wednesday, December, 31 Please call for tour times and information. Sunday in the Country Mark the change of the season by taking life a little easier.  Celebrate the autumn with good food, the great outdoors and a leisurely drive in the country. Sunday in the Country features a deluxe brunch at the renowned Roycroft Inn in East Aurora, followed by an old-fashioned trolley ride through the countryside to Graycliff, the country estate in Derby designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for the Darwin D. Martin family. There, guests will be given a tour of the estate and its grounds before returning by trolley to the Roycroft Inn. Since the outing will involve walking out of doors, comfortable shoes are recommended.  Sunday in the Country begins at 11:30 am and ends at approximately 3:30 pm at the Roycroft Inn on the following Sundays in 2008:  Sept 21st, Sept 28th, October 12th, and October 19th. This special value package is (TBA) per person; pre-paid advance reservations are mandatory.  Note: reserve your spot early; last year’s entire schedule sold out. For reservations and additional information, contact Graycliff at 716/947-9217 or e-mail graycliff@verizon.net  Breeze Along the Lakeshore A refreshing jaunt along the lake, a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Graycliff Estate, followed by lunch at Root Five--- just the way for your group to enjoy the leisurely summer or colorful autumn. Consider a special group package which includes a private docent led-tour of Graycliff followed by luncheon at Root Five, described by CityGuide as “a prime lakeside place for lunch” Enjoy the sweeping lake views and magnificent architecture of Graycliff, designed by renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright.  Graycliff Estate is an architectural jewel, situated on a 70-foot bluff overlooking Lake Erie with a complex of three Frank Lloyd Wright-designed buildings set amidst 8.4 acres of scenic grounds.  Our lovely new Visitor Pavilion features a gift shop with great gifts and wonderful wearables. A short hop away at Root Five, enjoy delicious cuisine in your own private dining room. Relish the truly spectacular Lake Erie views—perhaps the best of any restaurant in Western New York.  Package price per person:  (TBA) Group minimum size:  20 people. Available Tuesdays through Fridays, April-June September–November (and occasionally during summer months, depending on availability.) Combination Ticket to the Darwin D. Martin House Discover the genius of Frank Lloyd Wright in evolution from the Prairie style of the Darwin Martin House to the organic style of Graycliff’s Natural House (a precursor to Fallingwater.)  Wright’s designs for the same family-- Darwin and Isabelle R. Martin-- in western New York State span more than twenty years.  They reflect a close and enduring friendship between the architect and his clients, as well as a study in contrast of Wright’s architectural innovations as they developed over the decades. For details on the Martin House tour days/hours, look here. www.darwinmartinhouse.org/tours/tours.php

Website: http://graycliff.bfn.org/

Address: Graycliff Estate 6472 Old Lake Shore Road Derby, New York (716) 947-9217